7 Hidden Gems the Green Bay Packers Should Have Noticed at the Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is a great environment in which to evaluate potential NFL prospects from many different aspects. General managers, personnel people, scouts and coaches are there to get an opportunity to see the players in various drills, check their 40-yard dash time and also their strength via the bench press.

But maybe the most important aspect of all is the interview process. That's when a potential prospect gets to talk to the various teams and talk about his football acumen.

In this process, teams like the Green Bay Packers can find hidden gems. In other words, they can find players who look to be selected on the third day of the NFL draft or in the fourth through seventh rounds and also make a solid impact on the team.

Ted Thompson has been able to find some of these types of players since he became general manager of the Packers in 2005.

In this slideshow, I'm going to name seven hidden gems that Thompson and the Packers should be aware of at the combine. You will note that I have not listed any defensive backs, which is a primary need of the Packers (especially at safety), because the defensive backs won't work out until Tuesday at the combine.

Jeff Janis, Wide Receiver (Saginaw Valley State)

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 219 pounds

CBSSports.com has wide receiver Jeff Janis of Saginaw Valley State ranked as a fifth- or sixth-round prospect. To me, Janis has great measurables, as he has great size, very good speed and nice athletic ability.

He reminds me a bit of Jordy Nelson. Janis dominated at his level of play in college. In his senior year, Janis had 83 receptions for 1,572 yards and 14 touchdowns.

With Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelreporting that the Packers may let veteran wide receiver James Jones leave via free agency, and with both Nelson and Randall Cobb slated to be free agents next year, the Packers will probably select a wide receiver in this draft.

Kevin Pierre-Louis, Linebacker (Boston College)

Pierre-Louis played outside linebacker at Boston College, but he looks like he might be a better fit as a safety in the NFL because of his size, strength and speed.

The former Eagle was an All-ACC selection in 2013, and he displayed all the attributes that would qualify him as an excellent prospect at safety at the combine.

The biggest need for the Packers right now is in upgrading the safety position, and although the team will most likely select one on Day 1 or 2 of the draft, Pierre-Louis would be a nice addition to the team and would add quality depth.